Tunisia has participated in the Africa Cup of Nations 22 times, and holds the record for the number of consecutive participations with 17, as the team has not been absent from the competition since the 1994 edition on its home soil.[1] The first participation was in the 1962 edition in Ethiopia.[2] Tunisia played their first match on 14 January 1962 and lost to the host country team 2–4 in the semi-final. However, Tunisia beat Uganda 3–0 in the third place match to win the bronze medal.[3] Tunisia hosted the event for the first time during the 1965 edition, where the team reached the final and lost to the defending champions Ghana 0–2 after extra time to add the silver medal.[4]
In the next two decades, the team participated only twice, finishing fourth in the 1978 edition in Ghana and being eliminated from the group stage in the 1982 edition in Libya. After failing to qualify for the next five editions, the team returned to the competition, hosting the 1994 edition and achieving the worst participation in its history and on home soil after losing to Mali 0–2 and drawing against Zaire 1–1, eliminating it from the group stage. In the 1996 edition, led by Polish coach Henryk Kasperczak, the team reached the final, but lost to hosts South Africa 0–2.[5] Eight years later, in the 2004 edition hosted by Tunisia for the third time, the team won the title for the first time in its history, led by the French coach Roger Lemerre with a respectable generation of players, after defeating Senegal in the quarter-finals and Nigeria in the semi-finals, and defeated Morocco in the final match 2–1.[6]
Since then, the team has not achieved noticeable results, as it was eliminated from the group stage in 2010, 2013 and 2023, exited from the round of 16 in 2025, eliminated from the quarter-finals in 2006, 2008, 2012, 2015, 2017 and 2021, and achieved fourth place in 2019. In total, Tunisia have participated in the African Cup of Nations 22 times, playing 87 matches, with 26 wins, 32 draws and 29 losses, scoring 106 goals and conceding 103. The nation's biggest victories at the tournament were 4–0 wins against Ethiopia on 12 November 1965 and against Mauritania on 16 January 2022.[7][8] Tunisia's biggest defeats were 3–0 losses against Cameroon on 10 February 2000, against Guinea on 30 January 2006, and against the Ivory Coast on 26 January 2013. Francileudo Santos is the top-scoring Tunisian player at the tournament with ten total goals,[9] while Youssef Msakni has appeared in a record 29 matches across eight tournaments between 2010 and 2023.[10]
↑The match was abandoned after Tunisia walked off in the 42nd minute with the score tied at 1–1 to protest the officiating. Nigeria were awarded a 2–0 win, and Tunisia were banned from the next tournament.[51]
12The sources differ in recording the scorers in that match. Other alternatives were that Ethiopian scorers were Worku, Getachew Wolde, and a brace by Luciano Vassalo, or Italo Vassalo, L. Vassalo and a brace by Worku. Meanwhile, Tunisian scorers were also given as Jedidi and Raouf Ben Amor, or Chetali and Hammadi Henia, or a brace for Henia.[128]
The match was abandoned after Tunisia walked off in the 42nd minute with the score tied at 1–1 to protest the officiating. Nigeria were awarded a 2–0 win,[131] and Tunisia were suspended for two years (also banning them from the next tournament).[132]
The team managed to break the streak by hosting the African Cup of Nations as a replacement for Zaire, but was defeated by Mali 0–2 in the opening match in front of 45,000 people at the El Menzah Stadium,[133] which contributed to the dismissal of Youssef Zouaoui, replaced by Faouzi Benzarti, who drew the second match against Zaire 1–1.[134] Despite positive expectations before the start of the tournament, the team was eliminated from the group stage after a defeat and a draw.
As hosts, Tunisia did not have to qualify for the 2004 African Cup of Nations,[135] where they face DR Congo, Rwanda and Guinea in the first round. The team won his opening match against Rwanda 2–1,[136] thanks to goals from Ziad Jaziri and Francileudo Santos, despite the expulsion of Selim Benachour in the 60th minute with a red card.[137] The second match against DR Congo is difficult until the Congolese Lomana LuaLua is sent off with a red card in the first half, after a frank attack on Jawhar Mnari. Thanks to Hatem Trabelsi on the right flank, the team managed to win the match 3–0 with a double from Dos Santos in the 55th and 87th minutes and a goal by Najeh Braham in the 65th minute.[138] On the day of the third match, corresponding to eid al-Adha, 35,000 spectators came to the stadium. Guinea managed to snatch the equalizing point after the end of the game with the score at 1–1,[139] Benachour scoring Tunisia's goal in the 58th minute, followed by a Guinean goal from Titi Camara in the last minutes of the match.[140] Tunisia qualified for the quarter-finals on top of the group with seven points, after two wins and a draw.
In the quarter-finals, Senegal who had already beaten Lemerre as France coach 1–0 in the 2002 World Cup, faced him; Tunisia also won this game 1–0,[141] with Mnari scoring in the second half after a scissor kick from Jaziri; this match is notorious for the appearance of fog on the pitch.[142] In the semi-finals, Nigeria which had eliminated Cameroon. The match becomes very even until the end of playing time 1–1. The first goal was scored by Nigerian Jay-Jay Okocha, who scored a penalty after Tunisian defender Karim Haggui beat Nwankwo Kanu in the penalty area. Fifteen minutes later, Nigerian defender Seyi Olofinjana broke Tunisian striker Jaziri in the penalty area, with whom Tunisia also received a penalty. The Tunisian captain Khaled Badra equalized the score 1–1. The match is finally decided in the penalty shootout, which Tunisia wins 5–3 thanks to Haggui who takes the last shot. With the victory.[143] Tunisia reached the final, where they faced Morocco.[144]
During the final, on 14 February 2004 at Stade 7 November in Radès in front of 60,000 supporters,[145] Tunisia got off to a good start with a lead 1–0 after four minutes with Mehdi Nafti centered on Dos Santos, who scored his fourth goal of the tournament. At the end of the first half, Morocco came back to score with a goal from Youssouf Hadji on a lift from Youssef Mokhtari. Seven minutes passed in the second half before another Tunisian striker, Jaziri gave his country the lead. As soon as referee Falla N'Doye blew the final whistle, scenes of jubilation erupted in the stadium and throughout the country. The Tunisian players performed a circuit of the pitch, then climbed onto the podium to receive their gold medals, while the Moroccan players received their silver medals. Later, President Ben Ali presented the trophy to Khaled Badra and Riadh Bouazizi, who then raised it high.[146] The Eagles of Carthage became the 13th national team in history to be crowned African champions. Roger Lemerre also becomes the first coach to win two different continental tournaments after having previously won Euro 2000 with France.[147] On 24 February, Ben Ali received the Tunisian team at the Carthage Palace, accompanied by members of the technical and administrative staff, and awarded them the National Order of Merit.[148] Tunisia also won the African National Team of the Year award from the Confederation of African Football.[149]
Lemerre led Tunisia to qualify for the 2008 African Cup of Nations. In the qualification Tunisia faced Mauritius, Sudan, and Seychelles. After 4 wins and 1 draw, Tunisia suffered a 3–2 loss against Sudan and finished second in the qualifying round. Despite this, Tunisia were among the favorite teams to win the cup after its outstanding performance in recent years in addition to the presence of 7 players from Étoile du Sahel, champions of CAF Champions League, and Tunisia was able to qualify for the quarter-finals. Tunisia finished at the top of the group after a draw in the opening match against Senegal 2–2,[156] a 3–1 victory over South Africa,[157] In the third match, it faced Angola and the match ended 0–0.[158] They lost against Cameroon 3–2 in extra time.[159]
Tunisia failed to be in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, but qualified for the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations. Four days later, the Tunisian Football Federation sacked coach Humberto Coelho and at the same time appointed Faouzi Benzarti as the new coach to oversee the national team in the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations. He was also eliminated after Tunisia were eliminated from the group stage, where all three matches were tied against Zambia 1–1, Gabon 0–0 and Cameroon 2–2. Ending the session at the bottom of the group.[160]
123The tie-breaking criteria for teams level on points consider only the results of matches between those teams (in this case, this excludes their results against Tunisia). All three teams were level on points and goal difference, and were ranked based on goals scored: Zambia 4, Cameroon 3, Gabon 2.
At the first match, Tunisia opened the scoring in the 70th minute, as Ali Maâloul's cross was converted by Mohamed Ali Manser at the far post. Cape Verde equalized eight minutes later through Héldon's penalty after he was brought down by Syam Ben Youssef at the edge of the penalty area.[161][162] In second game, Zambia took the lead in the 60th minute, when Emmanuel Mayuka scored home from Rainford Kalaba's lofted pass. Tunisia equalized ten minutes later after Syam Ben Youssef flicked a corner to Ahmed Akaïchi to score from close range. They completed the comeback in the 89th minute, as Yassine Chikhaoui headed in Youssef Msakni's cross.[163][164] Against DR Congo, Tunisia took the lead in the 31st minute, as Yassine Chikhaoui's shot was deflected and Ahmed Akaïchi headed the ball in. DR Congo equalized in the 66th minute, after Dieumerci Mbokani headed down a long ball for Jeremy Bokila to score. The result was enough for Tunisia to win the group, while DR Congo also qualified as runners-up, ahead of Cape Verde on goals scored.[165][166] In quarter-final, Tunisia took the lead in the 70th minute, when Ahmed Akaïchi flicked in Hamza Mathlouthi's cross from the right. Equatorial Guinea scored the equalizer in the third minute of injury time through Javier Balboa's penalty, which was awarded after Hamza Mathlouthi was ruled to have fouled Iván Bolado. The match went to extra time, and Balboa scored the winning goal in the 102nd minute with a direct free kick, sending the hosts to their first ever semi-finals.[167][168] The match had witnessed controversies regarding the Mauritian referee's bias refereeing in favor to the host nation, including the controversial penalty in the final minutes, resulting with Tunisian players attacking him in the end of the game. CAF decided to ban the referee for life as for the result.[169]
The start of the competition was poor after three draws in the group stage against Angola,[170]Mali,[171] and Mauritania[172] to qualify for the Round 16 with great difficulty in second place. In the next round, the results improved by beating Ghana,[173] and Madagascar 3–0[174] to qualify for the semi-finals for the first time in 15 years when Tunisia won the AFCON in 2004 before they narrowly lost to Senegal 1–0[175] in extra time after a referee dispute of Bamlak Tessema because of not giving a clear penalty to Tunisia 4 minutes before the end of the game to complete the competition in fourth place behind Nigeria.[176] Nonetheless, it stands as the best performance of Tunisia since winning 2004 AFCON at home.
The team's participation in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations was rather bad. In the group stage, it began with a 0–1 defeat from Mali during the match, which witnessed strange refereeing events, as Zambian referee Janny Sikazwe ended the match in the 85th minute.[185] In the second match, the team achieved a moral victory over Mauritania 4–0 thanks to the double of Wahbi Khazri and the goals of Hamza Mathlouthi and Seifeddine Jaziri,[186] but the team was afflicted by a 0–1 defeat against Gambia in the last moments of the match,[187] to qualify for the round of 16 as the best third in the group stage. Nevertheless, the team defeated strong Nigeria 1–0 with the goal of Youssef Msakni from outside the penalty area, despite the absence of Mondher Kebaier from the match due to his infection with the COVID-19 virus, and he was replaced by his assistant Jalel Kadri.[188] In the end, the team was eliminated from the quarter–finals against Burkina Faso after a 0–1 defeat.[189]
Tunisia drawn for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations alongside Mali, Namibia and South Africa.[190] In the first match, they tried in vain to overcome the constant pressure of Namibia,[191] the match being decided two minutes from regulation time,[192] the Namibians secured a victory when Deon Hotto scored a goal against Bechir Ben Saïd.[193] Against Mali, the Tunisians fell behind after a goal by Lassine Sinayoko on a pass from Kamory Doumbia.[194] Just ten minutes after Mali had opened the scoring, Ali Abdi produced a point and a back pass for Hamza Rafia to equalise 1–1, which proved to be the final score of the match.[195] In the last match against South Africa, Tunisia were too timid while South Africa were too reluctant to make convincing efforts despite holding the advantage.[196] However, as the match became increasingly difficult, the Tunisians almost fell into the traps of the South African counter-attack, including a missed effort from Sphephelo Sithole.[197] Despite a goal attempt from Haythem Jouini, the match ended goalless, eliminating Tunisia from the group stage for the first time since the 2013 edition.[198]
Tunisia qualified for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and entered the competition under the leadership of coach Sami Trabelsi,[202] who is leading the team in the Africa Cup of Nations for the third time after 2012 and 2013.[203] In their opening group match, Tunisia began their campaign with a victory against Uganda at the Rabat Olympic Stadium. Ellyes Skhiri opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a header from a Hannibal Mejbri corner,[204] this is Tunisia's 100th goal in the Africa Cup of Nations.[205] Half an hour later, Elias Achouri doubled the lead in the 40th minute with a powerful shot after a pass from Ali Abdi.[206] Achouri scored his second goal, Tunisia's third, in the 64th minute,[207] while Denis Omedi scored Uganda's only goal in the final seconds of the match, making the final score 3−1.[208] Tunisia won their first Africa Cup of Nations match for the first time since 2013.[209]
In their second match against Nigeria, at the Fez Stadium, the Tunisian team appeared lethargic and delivered a disappointing performance. Nigeria opened the scoring at the end of the first half with a header from Victor Osimhen, from an Ademola Lookman cross.[210] Five minutes into the second half, the Nigerians doubled their lead with another header, this time from Wilfred Ndidi, following a Lookman corner. Tunisia's difficulties continued when their opponents scored a third goal on a lightning counter-attack.[211] The ball reached Osimhen, who passed it to Lookman. Lookman skillfully beat the Tunisian defense before finishing, giving Nigeria a 3–0 lead.[212] In the 74th minute, Majbri took a low, angled free kick which Montassar Talbi headed home to score the first goal.[213] Eight minutes later, Malian referee Boubou Traoré awarded Tunisia a penalty after Nigerian defender Bright Osayi-Samuel handled the ball in the penalty area, allowing Ali Abdi to score Tunisia's second goal.[214] In stoppage time, Sebastian Tounekti delivered a cross that Ferjani Sassi almost converted into an equalizer, but his header went wide and the team failed to equalize. The match ended in a 3–2 defeat.[215]
The third match against Tanzania, at the Rabat Olympic Stadium, was Tunisia's first game against Tanzania in the Africa Cup of Nations. The Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded Tunisia a penalty after a Tanzanian defender Ibrahim Hamad fouled Hazem Mastouri in the penalty area. Ismaël Gharbi converted the penalty in the 43rd minute.[216] Three minutes into the second half, goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen misplaced a pass back to his defense, allowing the Tanzanian attack to intercept the ball. Novatus Miroshi passed to Feisal Salum, who, with a long-range shot, beat the Tunisian goalkeeper and equalized.[217] The match ended in a 1–1 draw, and Tunisia qualified for the round of 16 after finishing second in their group.[218] After his good performance in the match ,Gharbi was also named Man of the Match.[219]
The round of 16 match against Mali was very violent, with Malian defender Woyo Coulibaly being sent off in the 26th minute.[220] With no shots on target, the first half ended goalless. The second half continued in the same vein until the 88th minute, when Elias Saad delivered a lobbed cross that Firas Chaouat headed home to score the opening goal.[221] However, Tunisia's joy was short-lived, as South African referee Abongile Tom awarded Mali a penalty after Yassine Meriah handled the ball in the box. Lassine Sinayoko converted the penalty to equalize in the 96th minute, sending the game into extra time.[222] The Tunisians largely controlled extra time until the 106th minute, when Chaouat scored a goal that was disallowed for offside.[223] The match, however, ended in a draw 1−1, forcing a penalty shootout which went in favor of the Malians after their players missed three penalties, thus eliminating the team from the round of 16.[224] On 4 January 2026, the federation announced the termination of Sami Trabelsi's contract and the dismissal of all technical staff.[225]
Youssef Msakni won the Goal of the tournament award in 2013, was included in the Best XI in 2012 and was named Man of the Match three times in different editions.
Tunisia vs. Equatorial Guinea refereeing at 2015 Afcon
Wadie Jary, the president of the Tunisian Football Federation, claimed that there was a bias against Tunisia following their controversial quarter-final defeat to Equatorial Guinea on 31 January 2015. He was banned from CAF competitions and activities.[245]Rajindraparsad Seechurn, the Mauritian referee who gave a penalty to Equatorial Guinea in that match, was banned from officiating for six months and removed from CAF's elite register of referees.[246] The Tunisian FA was fined $50,000 for confronting the referee during the match, in addition to damage to changing room facilities, while Equatorial Guinea was fined $5,000 for inadequate security at the stadium.[246]
The match between Tunisia and Mali, the first meeting of Group F, was not played to completion. Zambian referee Janny Sikazwe initially whistled the end of the match in the 86th minute before changing his mind, warned by his assistant referee and the protests of the Tunisian players. He then signaled the end of the game in the 90th minute, seconds from the end of regulation time,[247] just as the assistant referee was about to announce added time. In front of the furious Tunisians, the refereeing quartet had to leave the field under police escort. Given the extent of the controversy, the resumption of the match, to play the remaining additional time, was announced.
However, the Tunisian team refused to resume the match, claiming that the players were already in the showers, or out of the stadium, therefore unfit to resume the game. The Malians having presented themselves on the lawn, the end of the match is whistled with only one team on the ground, the result of 1–0 being ratified later by CAF.[248]
↑corner, La Tunisie démarre fort contre l'Ouganda et ouvre le score après moins de dix minutes de jeu C'est l'expérimenté Ellyes Skhiri qui marque sur. "CAN 2025: Skhiri ouvre déjà le score contre l'Ouganda!". beIN SPORTS (in French). Retrieved 2025-12-25.
↑tête (1-0), Alors que les Aigles de Carthage résistaient bien au Nigeria jusque là, les Super Eagles ont frappé juste avant la mi-temps par l'intermédiaire de leur star Victor Osimhen de la. "CAN 2025: Victor Osimhen glace la Tunisie avant la mi-temps!". beIN SPORTS (in French). Retrieved 2025-12-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
↑Tunisie (2-0), Sur un corner, Wilfred Ndidi place une tête imparable et donne deux buts d'avance aux Super Eagles face à la. "CAN 2025: Le Nigeria double la mise au retour des vestiaires!". beIN SPORTS (in French). Retrieved 2025-12-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
↑Nigeria (3-0), Ça tourne au vinaigre pour la Tunisie! Ademola Lookman réalise un numéro en solitaire dans la surface de réparation tunisienne et plie le match en faveur du. "CAN 2025: Lookman marque le 3-0 pour le Nigeria!". beIN SPORTS (in French). Retrieved 2025-12-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
↑Nigeria (3-1), À un quart d'heure du terme, Montassar Talbi reprend un coup franc d'Hannibal Mejbri et redonne un léger espoir à la Tunisie qui revient à deux buts du. "CAN 2025: Montassar Talbi relance la Tunisie!". beIN SPORTS (in French). Retrieved 2025-12-28.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
↑Salum, Séquence difficile pour le gardien de la Tunisie, Aymen Dahmen, fautif à la relance puis sur son intervention ratée sur le tir de Feisal. "CAN 2025: La Tunisie se troue, la Tanzanie égalise". beIN SPORTS (in French). Retrieved 2025-12-30.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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